Tyler Leisher Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Do you happen to know if you can get insurance for a short 3 minute film? Shot in one day at two locations (One INT, One EXT) Or insurance for JUST the camera? We're shooting a short film on August 30th, and we're having the camera on a car mount... the camera is owned by the DP who's a personal friend of mine, and I really don't want to accidentally break this camera and owe him $7,500, I'd rather cover my ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Shepardson Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Do you happen to know if you can get insurance for a short 3 minute film? Shot in one day at two locations (One INT, One EXT) Or insurance for JUST the camera? We're shooting a short film on August 30th, and we're having the camera on a car mount... the camera is owned by the DP who's a personal friend of mine, and I really don't want to accidentally break this camera and owe him $7,500, I'd rather cover my ass. Brother, I know what you're going through. I'm looking for insurance for my upcomming shoot. I imagine nsurance isn't a huge percentage of a 30 million dollar feature budget: But it's a huge chunk of an indy short budget. Better safe than sorry, though. What kind of home/renter's insurance do you have? Some companies' policies will cover stuff like that IF you pay to rent it. So, maybe your friend could charge you a low, low rental fee.If you don't have such a policy, check out non-film insurance companies that may cover stuff like renting equipment. I say 'non film" because I've found that if a company deals specifically with motion pictures-it will charge at least double what any other company would for the exact same service. In doing that though, MAKE SURE, that they understand what is going on. You don't want to end up breaking the camera or a crew member only to find out that you violated some loop hole in the policy. There's a company called Film Emporium that I might go through if I don't find anything cheaper. The good thing about them is that they offer temporary services. Does your friend have insurance on the camera? If so, maybe you could just pay off whatever the deductable is in case of an accident. Or, even lay that ammount down as sort of a "deposit" so it's allready figured into your budget. That would only make sense, of course, if the deductable is less than what you would pay in insurance. Good luck-if you find any good places, tell me. -rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Most production insurance companies offer short shoot insurance. In fact most short films that rent gear and locations will obtain production insurance. You can't rent gear without it in most cases. For a one day shoot it won't be much. I suggest you get it for the week in case there are delays or you go over due to unforeseen circumstances. Smart producers prepare for all eventualities. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Leisher Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 It's really simple, we don't even need the 12 hour day to get this accomplished. I may go for a week but only if it's not too much more expensive... My DP doesnt have insurance on the camera, that's why I want to get it just in case. I can get insurance for all the rented gear, but does the insurance that I get from a rental house cover equipment that wasn't rented from them? Right now I'm going to be spending around $200 on insurance for the equipment I'm renting from Wooden Nickle. While we're on the topic, does anyone know how much Location Sound or Coffey Sound charges for insurance? Ideally, I'm looking for a small, short term insurance coverage that I can take to the rental house and have them not charge me more for insurance... as well as still be covered for all the equipment on the set. Any idea how much it normally is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Medvin Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Insurance is a strain on the pocketbook, but a nice security blanket. The companies like Film Emporium will charge about $1100-2000 for a 10-day policy. The higher end is if you are doing a union gig and need worker's comp. A 10-day policy is pretty much the standard and the shortest term policy they have. Worker's comp costs $900 for a small crew and it is good for 60 days. You can look into "piggybacking" onto another filmmakers insurance policy if they are in production. Also, try Filmmakers Alliance. I needed insurance for a one-day shoot and it cost me around $400 (that was a year ago.) Remember when you are renting equipment, you need to cover yourself with insurance from the day you pick up the equip to the day you drop off. (Eg. a weekend rental needs to be covered from Friday to Monday.) Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Bruce Taylor Posted August 14, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted August 14, 2008 You can look into "piggybacking" onto another filmmakers insurance policy if they are in production. Remember when you are renting equipment, you need to cover yourself with insurance from the day you pick up the equip to the day you drop off. (Eg. a weekend rental needs to be covered from Friday to Monday.) I can't recommend the "piggybacking" approach. I was at an annual conference with my insurance company and that subject was brought up-- it may not cover you, and may be a violation of state insurance laws. But... Good News! I clicked on a Google Adwords ad on this very site about insurance about a week ago. I called them yesterday and spoke to the very pleasant Kat Wong at Heffernan Insurance (LA office), who outlined their programs. Then a client of mine rented $30k worth of gear for a week, paid $225 for property insurance, and I had the Certificate of Insurance emailed to me -the rental house- in a few hours. You can do it over the phone with a credit card. They say they expect to have an automated system up in about a month. I am jazzed, because the insurance issue has been such a problem for low/no budget productions. Their deductables are lower than traditional production policies I have seen as well. Of course they have annual policies and liability packages too. Kat Wong, 213-236-0511. Bruce Taylor www.Indi35.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Leisher Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 I was told today that in order to rent the car mount from the company (Wooden Nickel, my favorite place to rent) I have to have $1,000,000 general liability and $15,000 in equipment liability. Yikes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew McCarrick Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 I've been told a good estimate for insurance is 3-4% of below line expenses, for features. May or may no apply for Shorts though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Starling SOC Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Short Term Production insurance is available through Marshall Entertainment Insurance. I carried our annual policy with them for close to 15 years. DeWitt Stern is another very solid broker in the entertainment industry. This year I switched off to the Walter P. Dolle agency since they have a special policy for Steadicam operators / SOA members. Robert Starling, SOC Steadicam Owner Operator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Deierling Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Try Film Emporium. They can cover you for short term projects. Check out their site http://www.FilmEmporium.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Burke Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 there are underwriters out there that will right a policy for two or three days, but be prepared to pay about 250. I did it and got equipment insurance and 2 million general liability. had no choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Deierling Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 I just found this article that really gives some good advice!http://www.studiodaily.com/2009/02/production-insurance-are-you-covered/You can also contact the brokers at http://www.FilmEmporium.com. very helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Deierling Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 You can also check out http://entertainmentinsurancebroker.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Phil Rhodes Posted July 3, 2015 Premium Member Share Posted July 3, 2015 Just to add the info to the thread, in the UK, Essex Insurance Brokers do a decent short film package much in the vein of the things listed above. They did recently refuse to cover me on something that used pyrotechnics, though, so it seems they're mainly interested in what might be called mainstream short filmmaking, which generally doesn't involve that sort of thing. I'd use them again, regardless. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Bill DiPietra Posted July 3, 2015 Premium Member Share Posted July 3, 2015 I've been using Athos Insurance. They gave me a very reasonable rate on my last short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Norris Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 So I took your advice and called up Film Emporium. They were very nice on the phone. I was able to get my insurance for my shoot this weekend! I was greatfull they were able to do it so fast! I highly recommend them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Bill DiPietra Posted January 16, 2016 Premium Member Share Posted January 16, 2016 Cool! Glad it worked out. Good luck with the shoot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Karubian MovieInsure Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Piggybacking is BAD - not worth it - develop a relationship with broker (like me) www.movieinsure.com David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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